Letters to the Editor for Wednesday, Feb. 27

Children left behind

Some 20 years ago, No Child Left Behind was the mantra of the educational establishment and the federal government. My wife, a teacher, and I noted that this would surely result in all children left behind and all teachers left behind.

Alas, we were on target.

We now own and operate a tutoring center in Naples. And, it is so easy to see the results of this 20-year flawed experiment. Although test scores (biased through juggling of statistics and "measured" testing outcomes) suggest dramatic improvements, the reality is the opposite. Kids, in general, don't understand the underpinnings of the content material and are less able to think through problems (math and otherwise) than their predecessors. And, far too many students (pre-college through young adult) espouse a society in which wealth is shared.

These are not good things for our country and future generations.

Consider the "socialist" experiment, so well taught in our pre-college history textbooks and college level classes and environments. Again, the cry is equality and economic parity for all. Spread the wealth, a higher minimum wage, a livable wage, and other watchwords and expressions permeate the airways and newsprint. Yet, one has only to look to Venezuela to see the outcome. Once a wealthy nation (perhaps the wealthiest in South America), Venezuela is now in economic despair. If you destroy the source of wealth in order to share it, there will be little left to share.

It is important to learn from history (lest we repeat it). It is equally important to be able to critically think about something before jumping on a train headed for the precipice.

H. Michael Mogil, Naples,

Decisions, decisions

With all the current interest in political issues facing our country, it may be helpful to review some basic information.

Autocracy is defined as a government by one person with absolute power. Some synonyms for autocratic government include: dictatorship, absolutism, totalitarianism, despotism and tyranny.

Democracy is defined as a government in which the eligible voters of a population group are responsible for making decisions, usually through elected representatives.

If you prefer autocracy, you need do nothing, because the autocrat will do everything for you. You may like what he or she will do, or you may not like it. But in the end, you will be unable to do anything about it because you have forfeited your right of decision making.

On the other hand, if you prefer democracy, you will be required to participate in the decision-making process by selecting representatives in an election process. This will require that you be informed on the issues facing the body politic. More correctly, you will be required to inform yourself concerning these issues. You must take on that responsibility. No one else will do it for you. You will be responsible for the examination of all sides of an issue, so that you will be able to make an informed decision. Anything short of accepting that responsibility will weaken the process.

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Florida Voices tells the stories of everyday Floridians, examining what issues matter most to them in the Sunshine State.

Dim view of Bayview

It’s Terrible!

That’s the best you can say about Collier County’s Bayview Park. The main service building has been closed for over a year. No bathrooms, No picnic area. The County has placed many portable toilets there. They are not serviced regularly as they should be. Most of the time their full of waist, smelly and dirty. This is a very busy park. The county should be taking care of it. Instead, they talk about spending millions of dollars on other projects. I would think present parks would be the county’s first priority. There are also other important areas in this park that also are in need of service and nothing is being done. What is going on with our parks department that they cannot take proper care of the Park?

Dennis England, Naples

Give Obama credit

President Trump has shown his ignorance yet again by contradicting all our directors of U.S. intelligence agencies, and their assessment of North Korea, Iran, and the continued threat of ISIS. These directors are all Republicans appointed by Trump, the few smart and honorable people in his administration.

It is Trump that needs to go back to school, probably the fourth grade. He claims to know all the best words, he just can’t pronounce or spell them. He knows all the best people, but many of his friends have been indicted or jailed, with many more to follow.

NDN guest columnist Marc Thiessen continuously misleads the public with his biased opinions. Example: Trump deserves enormous credit on defeating ISIS in Iraq—false. It was Obama who sent some 5,000 US troops back to Iraq in 2014, to support Iraqi and Kurdish fighters. The last major battle for the city of MOSUL was already underway before Trump became president. The same thing in Syria. Obama sent U.S. troops into Syria long before Trump’s election. Our troops supported Syrian opposition forces and the Kurds.

President Trump did two things. He ordered 59 missiles fired at a Syrian Airbase, first warning them and the Russians. The airbase re-opened the next day.

He also ordered missile strikes on two so-called chemical plants near Damascus, again warning Syria and the Russians to stay away. Our President sounds and acts like a Russian agent.

Now, all the world knows President Trump is the biggest liar on the planet.

He has lied some 8,000 times just while President. All recorded on TV and twitter.

Heaven help America!

E. L. “Bud” Ruff, Naples

In moderation

Congratulations on the editorial moderation I've observed over the last few weeks. At last you adjusted the focus of your editorial matter from far left to local news and balanced national reporting. Now I can enjoy my morning coffee and newspaper without the incessant Trump bashing that had become characteristic of your paper. Good decision! As a former Democratic Connecticut state senator with considerable experience with the media, I feel sure your circulation will benefit as more Neapolitans "get the wholesome moderation drift".John (Jack) Prete, Naples

Please light our bridge

The first time my wife and I came to Marco Island, we marveled at the dramatic introduction to the amazing skyline of the city, as we crossed the crest of the beautiful S.S. Judge Jolley Bridge.

This graceful bridge, with its amazing view, provides a wonderful introduction to all who come to our island, to enjoy and to share this special place with us.
Unfortunately, the Jolley Bridge, that once sparkling entrance to our city, is no longer as attractive and meaningful, as it once was.

The two rows of warm and glowing lights, that guided our approach to the brightly shimmering city of Marco Island in the evening and at night, are now dark. Only a handful of almost 40 lights, light up at night. The gateway to Marco has become unattractive and depressing. It feels as of the Jolley Bridge is in a sad state of neglect.
I don’t know who is responsible for maintaining this important landmark. Is it Marco or the county? I do know that our enjoyment of this once brightly shining architectural monument no longer makes us proud. It no longer illuminates our spirit, when coming home in the evening.

Not only our spirit, but even our property values takes a hit when a monument, like the Jolley Bridge, falls into neglect.

Irma is long gone, so we can’t blame her. I guess we can only blame ourselves, and those we entrust with our taxes, to maintain our infrastructure and the beauty of our city.

Hans Weissgerber, Marco Island

Sensitivity training

People dismiss as “politically incorrect” when racist, sexist, or anti-gay expressions are called out. Such expressions make it “fun,” and socially acceptable to believe that “non-white” people are inferior to “white” people, or to believe that women are inferior to men. Jokes and put-downs of LGBT people, Jews, and people with disabilities make it easier to discriminate against those of us who are Jewish, LGBT or disabled.

I am Jewish. An anti-Semitic statement, joke, or stereotypic remark, it is extremely offensive to me. I do not enjoy being put down or stereotyped. Worse, these attitudes are dangerous, as they paved the way for a Hitler in Germany.

It makes us all uneasy to point out statements or behaviors that are offensive and hurtful to these groups, knowing that doing so may cause others to become defensive. But we still say something, in the hopes that people will not just dismiss the complaints as “political correctness.” Instead respect others enough to understand the consequences of offensive language or behavior.

Finding humor in KKK costumes, displaying the Confederate flag, enjoying black-face costuming is dangerous. These symbols represent terrorism against African-Americans. People who dismiss this discussion as “political correctness” fail to understand the dire consequences of such behavior.

I venture to say that attitudes against minorities are so embedded in our society and culture, that many business and political leaders harbor them and have engaged in unacceptable (non-criminal) behavior in their past. I wonder if we could create a criterion that people learn and grow from past mistakes, to avoid losing their positions? It may make these discussions less threatening. Just a thought.